Review of Toy Story (1995) by Victor T — 14 Jun 2015

In the twenty-first century, the name "Pixar" is associated with top notch animation and intriguing ideas that mostly work and have a tremendous impact on the childhood of numerous kids around the world and managed to touch the adults as well, but that wasn't always the case. Back in the early-nineties, Pixar have only done short animated films but in 1995 they managed to create the first feature length 3D animated film, changed childhoods and get widespread critical acclaimed with the now classic, childhood favorite and beloved "Toy Story".

Andy is the child of a single mother, who loves playing with his toys and his favorite being a cowboy named "Woody" but Andy is unaware that the toys are actually alive but act as inanimate objects when they are near humans. On his sixth birthday party, Andy receives a new toy, an astronaut/action figure called "Buzz Lightyear".

Let's get something out of the way: I grew up with Pixar films so there will be a little of nostalgia in my reviews of their films because some of their films are childhood favorites. The first instalment of the franchise and the very beginning of Pixar´s feature length career is a jaw dropping one. "Toy Story" is a film that's for all audiences as its story will make kids connect with it and it will give adults a nostalgia for their childhood days, the characters have distinct personalities that match their designs and are unforgettable (even the toys that don't speak are memorable), the animation is really impressive for the times, the concept is so simple but insanely creative, the story is well written and has some layers, the voice casting is perfect and the performances they gave are what made these characters so likeable and memorable, the score fits perfectly in this world and it's an unforgettable one, ingenious use of setting, the comedy in here is well used in little doses and it never fails in making the audience laugh, it brings up some interesting ideas in the form of metaphors of toys, it will make you feel a variety of emotions -from happiness/nostalgia to scared/guilty-, and a theme that despite the fact it has been done earlier and later, works marvelously and it's the soul of this masterpiece.

"Toy Story" is a groundbreaking film that has changed the entertainment industry. It has everything that a masterpiece requires, which is almost impossible to say about an animated film. A must see film that will continue to have an impact on children everywhere and it will be remembered for infinity and beyond.